Come and visit our large “Pop-up Science Shop” in Cardiff

Learn about infection, hygiene and untreatable ‘superbugs’ that are resistant to our exisiting medicines!

We have taken over a large vacant retail unit in the St David’s Dewi Sant Shopping Centre in Cardiff (one of the busiest shopping centres in the UK) and have converted it into an interactive and professionally designed microbiology laboratory and exhibition space. It is located on the upper shopping level just outside John Lewis, near the Apple and Zara stores, and is open ito the public from 7th July until 3rd August 2025.

Discover the microbial world in, on and around us.

• Grow your own bugs: Take body swabs and see what yucky microbes live on your skin and tongue, or in your ears and nose. 🦠

• Microscopic germs: Have a look through a microscope to see the hidden world of bacteria. 🔬

• Handwashing challenge: Can you wash off all the bugs? Our UV light makes them glow in the dark! 🧼

• Space lab: Enter a space-themed laboratory in virtual reality and simulate working like a biomedical scientist. 🧑🏽‍🚀

• Hall of Fame: Check out the best entries from a Superbugs art competition across secondary schools in Wales, England and Tanzania. 🖼️

• Horror show: Get up close with some of the deadliest infections in history like the black death! 🧟

• Live stage: Listen to scientists explain their latest research on how to detect, treat and prevent infectious agents, and ask them any questions. 🎤

• Fun games and activities 🎉

The shop will be open to the general public on weekends and in the first two weeks of the summer holidays, and to pre-booked visits by schools during normal working weeks.

Written content will be provided bilingually in English and Welsh. Live activities and presentations will only be available in English, unless confirmed otherwise.

For more information please contact us.
Email: superbugs@cardiff.ac.uk — Bluesky: @superbugs.bsky.social.

Click here for a growing collection of photos from our event